Once again AFS brings to the Alamo S. Lamar a documentary that opens our eyes to a country that is one of the most isolated in the world (second to North Korea). Robert Lieberman, a physics professor, documentary filmmaker, world wide traveler, and based on the Skype Q&A a really nice guy, has traveled to Myanmar numerous times and brought us a view of a culturally rich yet impoverished country with resilient and smiling people, glorious temples, religious monks, devout Buddhists, and a military regime that rules it's country with a clenched fist. I remember so well that after a devastating storm with typhoon winds that killed 100,000 and left thousands of kids orphaned the military refused to allow aid into the country. But there is a possibility of some loosening of the reins more recently. And a visit by Hillary Clinton last year is encouraging.
The house was packed, there were numerous questions (all intelligent) and the producer, Deborah Hoard was present to answer and pitch this film. We walked out better informed, and hopeful that in the face of such hardship there is some hope that an improved life providing education, healthcare, and basic human services is a possibility. Once again a thank-you to AFS and it's Program Director, Chale Nafus for bringing this film to Austin.
This sounds terrific. Thanks, dear film critic, for your wonderful review.
ReplyDeletePam